Union Verdi Aims for Major Protest in Hamburg Public Sector
With negotiations for the public sector wage dispute set to resume next week, union Verdi has called for a significant demonstration in Hamburg. On Monday, thousands of employees from various sectors, including universities, welfare institutions, district offices, schools, fire departments, city parliament, court of auditors, and job centers, are expected to join the protest.
Massive Rally to Precede Negotiations
Before the third round of negotiations in Potsdam Begins, Verdi's National Chairman, Frank Werneke, will address the demonstrators in Hamburg. The rally, commencing at the Gewerkschaftshaus (10:30 a.m.), heads towards the finance authority (11:45 a.m.), ultimately culminating in Valentinskamp (12:00 p.m.).
Verdi seeks a 10.5% wage increase for public sector employees, with a minimum monthly addition of 500 euros. Junior staff will be entitled to 200 euros more, while trainees and dual students will receive permanent job offers. Furthermore, employees in Hamburg, Berlin, and Bremen are expected to receive a city-state bonus of 300 euros per month. The union doesn't shy away from advocating for a nationwide collective agreement for student employees (TV Stud).
Critical Response From Employers
In the second round of negotiations, the Tarifgemeinschaft der Länder (TdL), led by Hamburg's Finance Senator Andreas Dressel (SPD), considered Verdi's demands excessively expensive and unaffordable. The third round of discussions will focus on the salaries of approximately 1.1 million employees, impacting over 1.4 million civil servants.
Ole Borgard, Hamburg's Verdi Vice President, emphasized the need for employers to fulfill their responsibilities and engage in meaningful wage discussions. Employees demanded that employers take their calls for reasonable and updated wages seriously.
Support from Green Party and SPD
Hamburg's Green Party chairwoman, Maryam Blumenthal, backed the TV Stud campaign for student employees, referencing her parliamentary coalition with Dressel's SPD. She stressed the necessity of offering fair pay for student workers, whose burdens also include educational expenses.
German Greens advocate for more educational equality and better research standards through minimum contract terms for student employees. Blumenthal emphasized the importance of implementing a collective agreement for student employees as a crucial next step.
Further Insights:
- Despite the ongoing public sector wage dispute, essential services in Hamburg have managed to operate without significant disruption.
- The rise in demand for non-alcoholic drinks has led the Oettinger Brewery to explore alternative business strategies.
- Enhanced police visibility at Christmas markets ensures safety and peace during festive seasons.
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